Keloids are smooth, hard, benign growths of tissue that usually appear following trauma—developing either right after the trauma occurs or some time after a wound has healed. They form as excessive scar tissue and usually overgrow the area of initial trauma. Keloids can be itchy or painful.

Keloids may arise on any location of the body, but they are most common on the upper chest, shoulders, and back.

A number of treatment modalities can improve the appearance of keloids, including topical scar creams, liquid nitrogen (freezing), surgical excision, laser treatment, or steroid injections.